Club in Formation - (KAOV)

Description

Why I'm interested in starting a club:I live in a rural community in Southwest Missouri. I started a ground school two years ago through Ava Schools. They have been funding the ground school part, but can not help us with a plane. We now have students who want to go on and earn their private and commercial certificates. Many of our students are community adults and are interested in forming a club in order to get a plane. We feel we can make flying more affordable by having our own plane. We are working with the airport manager and he is willing to expand the operations of the airport if we can get more activity there. Our goal is to bring more young people into general aviation and maybe even a career.

Description of the hangar/clubhouse facilities:We have 4 hangars, two with planes at the present time. There are other buildings which are former hangars which could be converted back. We have a small office, but the group would like to update it. There is a hangar which houses the on field mechanic.

Progress made towards starting the club:We have had a representative from Cessna come down to meet with the group to talk about different aspects and cost of operation of aircraft. Our mechanic on the field came and talked to the group about the maintenance of aircraft. We have talked to existing flying clubs at other airports about how they are set up. We have also talked to AOPA and watched some of their webinars on flying clubs. We are members of Missouri Pilots Association and are in contact with other pilots about our ambition. Several of the ground school students who are adults of the community want to be investors. We are looking for others to help. Our plan is to remodel the office on site to include a classroom for training and meetings. Our airport manager plans to add fuel at the airport with this new interest.